As righteousness brings forth the blessings of heaven, so wickedness brings forth its cursings. Yet the Lord does not discipline a people unless he first warns them of that which is to come and with great patience invites them to repent. We know of no instance in which the nation of Israel or any of its remnants have been placed in bondage to their enemies that was not the result of their own wickedness and in which they were not forewarned by prophets sent specifically for that purpose.